Avoidance

I acknowledge my foibles and defects in character
and my predisposition to avoid people I have little regard for
like a scarlet letter my thoughts are marked
in turn limiting my comments
in adherence with that wit common to parents:
"if you don't have anything nice to say, suppress your words"

Call me vain,absorbed with ego
but when a composition sent privately
becomes public my dander is a bit disturbed
especially after an apology is given regarding the word
years of distance haven't lessened the acrimony

Much fresher is the taste of rejection
of the false collaborator whose name is everywhere
praise I gave for her command of language
in my own composition
fealty she claims to working with two others
sputtered like a politician's address
for DU is a witness to a plentitude of her co-compositions
sincerity not high in demand

And so I limit myself to weighing opinions
on poems not marked by their words
much easier in stemming that negative energy within
for one happens to a former administrator
the other a darling of erotic verse

Tag me as extra sensitive
I can take it up with a shrink
but moments like these and it being Friday 13th.
I think I need a drink!